Australia’s largest home nursing provider is preparing to replace its stock of over 1,000 tablet computers.

The Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) first introduced mobile computers to its operations in the late 1990s and this latest upgrade will see the introduction of its fifth generation of technology.

Each of the organisation’s nurses use tablet computers to access and update client information and to check policies and medical information.

The group’s general manager of information services, Ian Cash said the RDNS was determined to remain at the forefront of technological advances.

“Many of our nurses begin their day from home and finish their working day at home,” he said.

“They spend their day on the road providing care for up to 15 clients. Their mobile computer is the critical link between them and [their client] information.

“It is our commitment to ensure that, as new technology comes into the market place, we equip our nurses with the tools that will enable them to do their job even better.

“The bottom line is that improved technology contributes to our clients receiving the best possible care we can provide – and that is RDNS’ number one goal.”

The project will begin with a request for tenders to provide an integrated mobile computing hardware solution.

Mr Cash said the successful tenderer would be required to equip the organisation with around 1,000 mobile computer devices, including tablet and notebook PCs.

They would also need to provide training of staff and ongoing maintenance services.

Last year RDNS delivered 1.7 million nursing visits to 33,000 clients. The organisation employs 1,400 staff and has sites throughout Greater Melbourne, as well as in Hobart and New Zealand.